Electric switch-operating device.



l0. 699,2l8. v l Patented May 6, |902. A. J. MQCULLUUGH.

ELELTRIG- SWITCH UPER'ATING DEVICE.

(Application led Har. 29, 1901.)

A y 4 Inventor: l v .fhfggl q M20/ f @im I l ttarngu NITED STATEs PATENT; e OFFICE.

ALEXANDER J. MooULLouem E MEADviLLE, PENNSYLVANIA.

ELECTRIC SWITCH-OPERATING DEVICE.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 699,218, dated May 6, 1902. Application filed March 29, 1901l Serial No. 53,432. (No model.)

- means of which the switch-tongue is operated electrically without the necessity of the motorman stopping the car to permit himself o r the conductor to leave the car to move the switch by use of the ordinary hand-barvnow Figure 1 is a plan view of a portion of track with my invention illustrated in connection therewith. Fig. 2 is a cross-section on the line 2 2, Fig. l. Fig.'3 is'a detailsectional view on the line 3 3, Fig. l.

Like numerals indicate like parts in each of the figures.

The numeral 2 designates a portion of an ordinary track, such asis used for an ordi-' nary overhead electric-trolley line.

The switch is designated by the-numeral 3,

the switch-tongue 4 being adapted to swing on its pivotal point 5. In order to keep the switch normally closed, a spring 6 is secured to the switch, as at 7, in the space 8 beneath the switch, said spring at its free end bearings againstthe stud 9, extending down from the switchtongue '4.

The switch has the openings 10 leading into the open space 8, so that water caused by rain or snow may be carried off and not interfere with the operation of the switch-tongue. At the free end of the switch-tongue is thedownwardly-extending pin 12, which is adapted t0 move-in the slot 13. Connected to this pin '12 isthe rod 14, said rod passing through the conduit l5, which maybe laid underground and which extends from the switchtoj the sidewalk or other convenient point of location. Located at or adjacent to the sidewalk is the box 16, which incloses the mechanism by means of which the switch is operated.

A pulley 17 is journaled in suitable bearings in the plates 18, saidl plates forming a housing for said pulley, so that whenthe top plate 19 is added said pulley is completely inclosed. This top plate 19 is cut away, as at 20 and 21, to iit over the conduit'l and around the guide 22. A chain or other :(iexible connection 23 is attached to the rod 14, said chain passing under the pulley 17 and through the guide 22, where it is connected to the core 24 of the solenoid 25. This solenoid 25 may be of the ordinary construction, having the terminal wires 26 and 27, and said solenoid is supported on the stand 28.

As the manner of operating the solenoid forms no part of my invention, I have not deemed it necessary to illustrate or describe the connections but said solenoid should be preferably operated by the current taken from the overhead wire which supplies the current to operate the car.

When my invention is in use and it is desired to open the switch, circuit connections are made with the solenoid 25, whereupon the core 24 is raised,and through the connections illustrated the switch-tongue 4 is moved sufciently to openthe switch. The car as it advances-then passes off onto the switch, and

after passing beyond the same the circuit to the solenoid is broken and the core 24 released. The core falls of its own vweight,and the spring 6 causes said switch-tongue to resume its normal position to close .the'switch.

By my invention I provide a simple and compact form of` mechauismin whichithere are few parts, and consequently little liability of their getting out of'order. quired to operate the switch is reduced to a minimum, as there are no levers to be moved and owing to the pulley there is very little friction to overcome. The switch-ton gue only needs to be moved with power in one direc- The power retion, as it resumes its normal position just as soon as the car has passed and the circuitto the solenoid is broken.

Vhat I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In switch-operating niechanisni,tl1e combination with the switch-tongue, of a vertically-arranged solenoid, a chain or other flexible means connected directly to both the switch-tongue and the core of the solenoid, and a pulley belonr said solenoid around which said chain passes.

2. In switch-operating mechanism,tl1e comhination with the switch-tongue, a spring bearing against said switch-tongue to hold it normally in one position, of a vertically-arranged solenoid, a chain or other flexible means connected directly to both the switchtongue and the core of said solenoid, and a pulley below said solenoid around which said chain passes.

3. In switch-operating mechanism,the combination with a switch-piece provided with a floor or bottoni and having an open space beneath the same, of a switch-tongue pivoted therein and provided with a projection extending down through a slotin the bottom of the switch-piece, a spring located in the space beneath the switch-piece and bearing against said projection, a solenoid, and connections between said switch-tongue and the core of said solenoid.

4. In switch-operating mechanism,the combination with a switch-piece provided with a perforated bottom and having an open space beneath the same, of a switch-tongue pivoted thereto and having two downwardly-extending projections extending through slots in the bottom of the switch-piece, a spring located in the space beneath the switch-piece and bearing against one of the projections on the switch-point, a chain connected to the other of said projections, and the solenoid to the core of which the opposite end of the chainis connected.

In testimony whereof I, the said ALEXAN- DER J. MCCULLOUGH, have hereunto set my hand.

ALEXANDER J. MCCULLOUGII.

Witnesses:

W. C. CARPENTER, C. O. Goonmon. 

